Why Does Whey Protein Isolate Cost More
Although WPC is a high-quality protein, it does and should cost less than whey protein isolate. When it comes to protein powders, the amino acids make up the majority of the costs to the manufacturer, where the other macronutrients and micro-nutrients are considered negligible.
Whey protein concentrate costs less to make than whey protein isolate because it contains less protein, and if you have noticed, all tub protein supplements are sold by weight, not by total grams of protein. Whey protein is most commonly sold in pouches or tubs by the pound or kilogram. If you compare a single pound of WPC with WPI gram for gram, you’ll find less total protein grams in the WPC thus, you are buying less protein and should then , pay less for it.
Isolate protein not only contains more protein than the same tub filled with WPC, but it spends more time in the processing plant recycling through the microfilters resulting in a purity that yields a light, fluffy, dense protein powder of 90-95% potency. In summary, Whey protein isolate costs more to make than whey protein concentrate because you get more grams of protein per package, and it requires the manufacturer more time to prepare.
How To Pick The Best Protein Powder
Whey isolate is the best protein powder which is most researched and widely available and it is cost-effective as well. If you want to explore plant-based options look for a mixed protein powder like rice and pea protein.
Stay away from protein powders with proprietary blends and always see the contents on the nutrition label. If it has ingredients that say blends and if there is a big gap between the actual protein you get per serving compared to the total serving size then such protein powders should be avoided.
Do some research about the manufacturer before buying protein powders and other supplements, see whether they are following the quality control practices or not.
What’s The Best Whey Protein For You
Both whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate have important benefits, but whey protein isolate is a purer form of whey protein and has a higher percentage of protein sometimes much higher than whey concentrate.
If you buy a concentrate, it’s possible that you’re getting a protein that’s only 25 percent protein by weight.
Whereas if you use whey protein isolate, you’re getting 90 percent protein by weight so you’ll know you’re getting all the protein and amino acids you need to help support your goals.
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Benefits Of Whey Protein Isolate:
- Promotes Muscle Growth and repair
- Delivers higher amounts of clean protein
Properly processed whey isolates such as ProLab Whey Isolate can support muscle growth and weight loss without triggering pesky lactose intolerance or adding unnecessary calories to your diet from carbohydrates and fats.
ProLab Whey Isolate has plenty of benefits to support your goals:
What Is Whey Isolate
While concentrate has a protein content of approximately 80%, isolates is approximately 90%. This is due to cross-flow microfiltration, which causes the protein to separate from fat and lactose. Whey isolate is a popular choice for people on low-fat diets, as its lower in fat compared to concentrate.
Whey isolate is also much lower in lactose, making it ideal for those with an intolerance. As whey concentrate is further processed and purified to make whey isolate, the structure becomes degraded and loses some of its biological activity. However, the amino acid structure and sequence is unaffected, which is whats important for building muscle. All large proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion anyway, so whether this happens in your gut or during a manufacture makes no difference at all.
The choice of whey you choose should depend on your goals, budget and allergies. As whey concentrate has a significantly higher amount of lactose, its better to opt for isolate if youre lactose intolerant. However, as isolate requires more processing than concentrate, it is also more expensive.
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Whey Protein Concentrate Vs Isolate: Which Is Better For Building Muscle And Losing Fat
If youre looking to build lean muscle mass and become stronger, you should aim for a protein intake of 1.72.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.67 That means you need at least 136 grams of protein per day if you weigh 80 kilograms or 175 lbs. Thats not an easy task for everyone, especially if your appetite isnt the greatest.
Thats where protein supplements like whey concentrate or whey isolate come in. They are inexpensive, convenient, and a great way to increase your total protein intake. Both whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate contain plenty of the essential amino acids, making them ideal for building muscle. No strong evidence suggests that either one of them is superior to the other.
Even though your total protein intake is, by far, the most important consideration, some evidence suggests that supplementing with whey protein, in particular, maximizes gains in muscle mass and strength improvements.8 Because whey is a high-quality protein, using it as part of your diet, in combination with strength training, is a valid strategy to help build muscle and strength.9
If youre actively trying to cut down or limit your fat or carbohydrate intake, you might find whey isolate the better option since it contains less of both. However, that does not mean that concentrate is any less suitable for building muscle and losing fat.
Difference Between Whey Isolate And Whey Concentrate
The most common whey proteins found in stores are whey concentrate and whey isolate.
People who are not lactose tolerant can choose whey concentrate and has 80% protein and the lactose can serve as a glucose source powering your anaerobic energy system and it helps your lifts as well.
If youre someone who is lactose intolerant then whey isolate will be a good choice for you and it contains 90% protein with little to no lactose and limited denaturation.
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Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Nutrition
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard is a protein powder comprising mostly whey protein isolate. Each serving has 24 grams of protein.
Whey protein isolate is a pure protein and helps to build muscle by delivering high-quality amino acids to muscle after a workout.
This protein supplement also offers 5.5 grams of branched-chain amino acids. BCAAs help to deliver protein to the muscle at a faster rate and therefore improve recovery time after a workout. Protein has to be broken down into amino acids before it can be used by the body. They need to be broken down in the intestines, absorbed in the blood, and then travel to the liver to be changed into an energy source â this can be a lengthy process. BCAAs, however, can be used directly in the muscles for energy, and skip the processing to the liver, per the Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition .
Optimum Nutrition whey nutrition facts vary according to the flavor you choose. The general nutritional profile for one scoop is 130 calories, 1.5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 5 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar and 24 grams of protein. This will fluctuate a minor amount according to flavor.
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Does Whey Protein Concentrate Sweet Contain More Sugar
WPC is naturally sweeter than WPI This is due to the quantities of sugar within WPC compared to WPI. Lactose’s official name is “disaccharide.” It is a sugar composed of galactose and glucose and naturally occurs in milk with concentrations ranging from 2-8%.
Though less sugar, whey protein isolate has a smoother taste as it goes through a more stringent filtering process. While whey protein concentrate may have a chalky texture, many consumers report it tastes better because of the fat and lactose in it.
The lactose holds a very light natural sweet flavor. Though, the higher levels of fat and sugar often go unnoticed due to the proclivity of brands to pair most offerings with indulgent, albeit harsh flavor systems such as peanut butter chocolate or mint chocolate chip.
These flavor systems tend to mask lesser quality whey protein concentrates while providing more of what consumers do not need in terms of high-quality nutrition.
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Whey Protein Concentrate Vs Isolate: Which Is Better
Reviewed ByKyle Crowley MSc Sports Nutrition
Evidence Based
Whey Protein Concentrate and Whey Protein Isolate are the undisputed kings of the protein world, with each having their own benefits depending on your physique goals. So, which is best and which is the right choice for you?
There are two main differences when it comes to the concentrate vs isolate debate, even though both proteins are derived from the same raw ingredient, milk.
Put simply, both these proteins go through a filtration process, with isolate being subject to a more intense process. This allows isolate to be lower in calories, carbohydrates and fats than concentrate while maintaining its high protein contents.
It also has a lower lactose content too, so is the preferred protein for those who avoid dairy products. However, this doesnt mean that concentrate isnt the right choice for you. Whey Protein Concentrate is also low in fats, carbs and calories and contains a pure protein content and usually has a lower price. In this article we cover all areas of these two beasts, so you can make an informed decision of which is best for you.
What is Whey?
What is Whey Protein Concentrate?
What is Whey Protein Isolate?
Whey Protein Concentrate Vs Whey Protein Isolate
Whey Concentrate Vs Whey Isolate Which One Should You Take
Both Whey Protein Concentrate & Whey Protein Isolate contain very high protein contents, but the difference comes down to the number of carbohydrates and fats they contain. If youre following a calorie controlled diet and looking at reducing your weight then Whey Protein Isolate is probably your go-to shake, whereas if youre looking at building lean muscle mass then we would suggest Whey Protein Concentrate. Another thing to note is the price. As Whey Protein Isolate goes through a longer manufacturing process it tends to be a little more expensive, though contains lower lactose content. Its swings and roundabouts really, with pros to both of them.
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Which Is The Better Choice: Whey
There are a lot of choices for protein powder out there. If you’ve looked into your options at all, you know whey protein is one of the most common. Whey is the liquid part of milk that separates when cheese is made. And just like you may be tempted to toss out the creamy liquid sitting atop a container of Greek yogurt, cheesemakers once discarded whey, too until they realized it was a nutritional powerhouse. Now, once whey liquid is separated, it’s processed to extract the proteins and turn them into powder form.
However, when you go to buy whey protein powder, you’ll find that it’s actually sold in two different varieties whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate and the difference between the two is more significant than you might think. Here’s a look at how whey protein powder is made and which type might be the best choice for your workout.
Can I Drink Whey Protein Shakes Daily
Drinking whey protein shakes daily is perfectly safe, provided you choose a high-quality product and don’t overdo it. Whey protein is a concentrated source of nutrients, so it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re consuming.
As long as you’re not drinking more than one or two shakes per day and getting the rest of your protein from whole food sources, you should be fine. Just make sure to listen to your body and stop consuming whey protein if you start to feel any negative side effects.
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Whey Protein Isolate Vs Concentrate: Which Is Better
You probably know protein is an important part of the muscle-building process. But this macronutrient matters more than you may think it also plays an essential role in recovery and even bone health.
While the majority of protein should come from whole food sources like beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, and beans, a good protein powder can deliver high-quality protein in a concentrated, more convenient form.
And whey protein is considered the gold standard because it has all of the amino acids your body needs to fuel muscle gain and recovery.
Understanding that whey is a great option is the easy part. But before you grab any old whey powder, the details make all the difference in ensuring you’re giving your body what it needs and not getting ripped off.
Here’s what you need to know about whey protein isolate vs. concentrate and how each type of whey protein can play a role in an athlete’s diet.
For a premium protein powder that’s used and trusted by professional athletes like LeBron James, try LADDER Whey Protein!
Whey Concentrate For Weight Gain & Whey Isolate For Weight Loss
Choosing either whey concentrate or whey isolate for weight loss is tough as high protein diets are among the most effective diets. As mentioned above, these diets are becoming increasingly popular yet the source of protein doesnt seem to make much of a difference.
Therefore, both concentrate and isolate are able to be used to help support weight loss. That being said, if we were in a position where we needed to choose, we would pick the whey protein isolate for weight loss or times when cutting. This is simply due to the fact that it has fewer calories. On the other hand, if youre gaining weight for a bulk, wed choose whey concentrate as it has more calories.
Still, keep in mind that the average between an isolate and concentrate will only be around 20-40 calories, at most. Were sure you could go find an ultra-high calorie whey concentrate and compare it to an ultra-premium isolate and come up with a greater difference, but on average, thats what youre dealing with. Every calorie counts, but you need to consider those calories saved and the extra money youre spending for them to decide if its worth it.
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Similarities Between Whey Concentrate And Whey Isolate:
Theres a lot more in common between whey concentrate and isolate then there are differences. Actually, there arent even really any absolute differences between the two. For example, both are cheaper than real food, but whey concentrate is cheaper. Well get into that below but first, lets look at why both forms of protein are fantastic rather than make such a huge deal over a couple factors that make them different.
1) Both Support Muscle Growth And Improve Performance:
Even though you probably know, we like to keep saying itwhey protein powder works! As you saw above, whey protein is really real food that has been processed into a convenient and efficient source of protein. In that aspect, it definitely helps fill in your daily protein needs. As protein is the literal building blocks of muscle, its vital that you consume enough on a daily basis. Studies on protein and athletic performance have shown that a daily dose of 1.6-2.2g per kilogram of weight is optimal for muscle growth and strength.
2) Both Have The Same Amino Acid Profile:
3) Both Support Weight Loss:
Well discuss this further below, but both whey concentrate and whey isolate can help support weight loss. In reality, any protein can. Multiple studies have shown that high protein can be an extremely successful tool for weight loss and is often the go-to diet for nutritionists. The weight-loss benefits of protein can come from both concentrate and isolate and include:
4) Both Taste Good:
Axe & Sledge Supplements Farm Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Image courtesy Axe & Sledge Supplements
Axe & Sledge Supplements’ Farm Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a top-quality protein powder that delivers 25 grams of protein per serving. It is made with 100% grass-fed whey protein and is GMO-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. This formula is designed to help you build lean muscle mass, improve recovery time, and increase strength.
Axe & Sledge Supplements’ Farm Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a complete protein that provides all of the essential amino acids your body needs to perform optimally. It is also rich in branched-chain amino acids , which are important for muscle growth and recovery.
This formula is easy to digest and absorbs quickly, making it ideal for before and after exercise. It is also low in calories and fat, making it a great choice for those who are trying to lose weight.
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Why Is This Important In Whey Concentrate Vs Isolate
As whey concentrate is further processed and purified into whey protein isolate,3 these 3-d structures can degraded and lose their biologic activity. You should note, however, that the amino acid sequences do not change when protein is denatured, and whether a protein is denatured during processing does not affect its muscle-building qualities. All large proteins are broken down during digestion into smaller protein chains and individual amino acids , and whether this process occurs in the gut or in the manufacturing plant is irrelevant to the muscle fibers getting these proteins.
However, since denaturing can affect the biologic activity of certain peptides, whey concentrate has a theoretical health advantage over isolate. That being said, depending on the process used, whey isolate may still have significant amounts of bioactive peptides. Ion-exchange is a purification process that, while producing the highest concentration of protein, essentially eliminates all bioactive compounds. Micro-filtration techniques, such as Cross Flow Micro filtration, are a more expensive procedure but yield a whey isolate with more intact bioactive peptides. Hydrolyzed whey isolate is whey isolate that has been further broken down, yielding small peptides that are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream. Again, though, this extra processing comes at the cost of destruction of health promoting substances.